Leyton Orient have appointed Jobi McAnuff as interim manager and set him the target of making the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.

Orient parted company with head coach Ross Embleton following Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Tranmere, which left them in 14th place and eight points adrift of the play-off places.

The O’s have turned to the 39-year-old McAnuff, who has made 166 appearances in two spells at Orient and captained the club to the National League title in the 2018-19 season.

Chairman Nigel Travis told the club website: “Jobi is a natural leader and someone we feel has got what it takes to make a top-class manager.

“As a club we feel that the play-offs are still within reach for this season and we have made that clear to Jobi, who understands and agrees with us that it should remain our focus and target.

“His appointment gives us a degree of continuity but also a fresh approach for the final third of the season.”

McAnuff, whose completion of his UEFA A License has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, will work alongside the club’s existing coaching staff of Danny Senda, Dean Brill and Matt Harrold.